The Sorsogon office of the governor of released an order on September 10 to suspend the permit of Siating Construction and Development (SCAD) Corporation for quarrying stone and sand in Barangay San Roque in Bulusan, Sorsogon.

The governor based the decision on the position paper submitted on August 4 by the San Roque Ecological Initiative (SREI) of Barangay San Roque to the office. According to SREI, the company’s permit must be suspended for the lack of public consultation and failure to inform the residents about a plan to conduct quarrying in their barangay. The proposed quarry site is near Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP), a protected area.

SREI gathered signatures from the residents last June to oppose the planned quarrying in their community.

On September 9, the residents of Barangay San Roque strongly expressed opposition during the Sangguniang Bayan Committee Hearing. This prompted the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to recommend the suspension of the SCAD Corporation’s permit.